Trade Paperback
1983 · Cambridge, Massachusetts
by Medawar, P.B. & J.S
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1983. 3rd Printing. Trade Paperback. Very Good. 6x0x9. Third printing. Edge wear, page ridges foxed, sticker ghost on rear cover. 1983 Trade Paperback. vii, 305 pp. In the spirit of Voltaireâand occasionally in the spirit of P. G. WodehouseâP. B. and J. S. Medawar have crafted for the life sciences a source of reference that is meant for browsing, a book both authoritative and filled with delights. The authorsâ breadth of knowledge is encyclopedicâ arranged, appropriately enough, from A to Zâbut more than that, they illuminate the ideas of biology with wit and intelligence and uncommon good sense. They bridge the chasm in our culture between the technically and the humanistically trained, breaking the code of jargon that limits access to scientific understanding. The Medawarsâ special gift is to offer, at the same time, a pleasurable introduction for the layman and a source of new insight for the specialist. In this book we can find a clear and meaningful definition of interferon, a useful explanation of the immune system, and thoughtful essays on sociobiology, eugenics, and aging. But we also find: âIt is a popular fallacy that chewing gum regains its flavor if removed from the mouth and parked, say, under a chair.â Whether in a serious discussion of cancer or a whimsical reflection on âchicken and eggâ imagery in science, the Medawarsâ blend of fact, literary allusion, historical anecdote, mythical and folk tradition, and even professional gossip is a rewarding exercise in biology as a humanistic endeavor. (Inventory #: 2341688)